Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced today that the nationwide lockdown will be extended until Thursday 27 January 6PM. Samoa has been in lockdown since Saturday 22 January 6PM.
This comes as five more cases have been identified in quarantine, taking the number of positive cases to 20. The five new cases are front line workers. Results from the 281 people tested should be available by tomorrow morning. There is still no evidence of community transmission.
The Prime Minister says shops, supermarkets, cash power outlets, markets, banks and money transfer, and pharmacies will be open from 8AM to 2PM Tuesday January 25 and Thursday January 27 to allow the country to replenish supplies for the rest of the lock down period.
The partial opening comes with conditions; mandatory wearing of facial masks, social distancing, vaccination cards must be shown, and no children under the age of 12 allowed in public spaces.
The Samoan Government has asked for the country to continue to support the efforts to keep the country safe.
Image Credit: Government of Samoa / Facebook